I glanced at the clock while I pulled my hair back into a ponytail. It was still relatively early, although I knew Max had been in the office for a while. He’d woken me up by accident when he was getting ready, but I couldn’t say I didn’t enjoy the show. Watching him walk into the room, damp from his shower, smelling all fresh and clean with a touch of the woodsiness from his cologne was intoxicating.
There was something inherently sexy about a man getting dressed. The routine of it all, the care of their appearance. The way his muscles rippled as he moved, the shy smiles he gave me when he caught me watching.
Wishing he had stayed home instead of going into work, I grabbed my phone off the kitchen counter and opened my Gmail.
To: Max
From: Kari
Re: Buenos Dias
Getting ready to run to my house and pick up a few more things. Just wanted to tell you that I miss you and packing and carrying all of those heavy boxes won’t be nearly as fun without getting to watch your muscles while I do it. :( I’m probably going to need a full-body rub down when you get home. Just saying.
I waited a minute to see if he’d respond and he did.
To: Kari
From: Max
Re: Sounds like a buenos noches, too.
Maybe we make it a buenos . . . well, I don’t know how to say weekend in Spanish. I was talking to Cane this morning and told him I’d like to take you to his cabin in Payson. We can relax, fish, maybe do a little horseback riding? Sound fun? Oh—just pack the boxes. I’ll move them, sweetheart.
Horseback riding? Who does he think I am?
To: Max
From: Kari
Re: This is me you’re talking to . . .
And I’m not a country person. I’m all about the relaxing part, but you lost me at fishing. And the only thing I’m going to be riding is you. ;)
Within seconds a response came.
To: Kari
From: Max
Re: This is me you’re gonna be riding . . .
Sweetheart, I have a shit ton of things to do today and I can’t concentrate when I’m thinking about you on my cock. You’ve simultaneously ruined me and energized me, you little troublemaker.
I laughed and closed my email. I grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator, noticing a new sticky note from Max stuck to the front.
I grabbed the Sharpie out of the drawer next to the refrigerator and peeled off a new sticky. I stuck it next to his and wrote:
I grabbed my things and jumped in the car, heading towards my house. Florida-Georgia Line blared through my speakers, making me laugh when I realized I was singing along. It was just another way Max had rubbed off on me. I turned the volume down, the music interfering with my thoughts.
Max had changed my life. He filled some sort of emptiness I didn’t really even realize was there. I had lived feeling alone for so long, I didn’t even realize it. It just became who I was, a part of me. Max changed all that. He filled the vacancy with laughs, smiles, and warmth. My life had been dull and now it was vibrant, bursting with red cups, multi-colored sticky notes, and the most beautiful green eyes I’d ever seen.
My smile faded as I realized the pain I would feel when it was over. It would, without a doubt, be worse than any pain I’d ever felt before. It wasn’t so much that I had chosen Max, it was that he had chosen me. He endured my mood swings and just kept coming back when I pushed him away. Hell, he didn’t budge when I’d shoved him back. He’d just smirk, his dimple sinking into his cheek, and wait for me to realize he wasn’t leaving.
But he would.
And I couldn’t blame him.
All I could do was enjoy it while it lasted. I’d have to figure out my sunshine later when he took the warmth from my soul when he left. Because if he wouldn’t leave, I’d have to make him once he knew. I couldn’t look in his eyes and see the pity or the resentment that would undoubtedly be there.
With a frown, I picked up my ringing phone. “Hey, Jada,” I said with more enthusiasm than I felt.
“Hey, sister! How are you?”
“I’m just pulling into my house, actually. Going to get a few things from here.”
She snickered. “How are things going now that you are officially living with Max?”
“Good. I mean, it’s really no different.”
“So I don’t need to plan a wedding soon?”
“Hardy har har,” I mocked. “Did you call for something besides to annoy me?”
She laughed. “Yes, actually. I think we picked out the baby’s name.”
“And?” I asked, pulling into my driveway and turning off the car.
“Maybe I shouldn’t tell you for being mean.”